Hat or geain elevator



- {Sheets-Sheet (No Model.) v

E. D. MEAD.l

- HAY 0R GRAIN ELEVATOR.

No. 377,492. l y Patented vFeb-7, 1888.' l

(No Moa-e1.) 4 shets-shet 2Q E. D. MEAD.

HAY 0R' GRAIN ELEVATOR- l 10.377,492. Patented Feb. V7, 1888.

www" w-f h UM MQW j 4 sheets-sheet s. y

(No Model.)

E'. D, MEAD; HAY. V0R GRAIN ELBVATOR.

,492.. Patented Feb. 7,v 1888 (No'Model.) v4: sheets-sheer. 4". E.; D. MEAD.y

' HAY 0R GRAIN BLEVATOB.

Patent-ea Feb. 7,11888.

OJJE

N. Pneus Phaxivumogmpmzwmmm vin UNITED STATES PATENT @Erri-Jeeg', y l l EDWIN'D. MEAD, or sHoRrsvILLanEWYoaK.

HAY R e RAI N yELEVATO R.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. s'7"7,492, dated February '1, 188s.

l l VA.Application tiled April 18, 1887. Serial No. 235,220. (No model.) r

To all whom t may concern,.-

Be it known that I, EDWIN D. MEAD, of Shortsville, in the county of Ontario, and State ofv New York,'haVe/invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hay or Grain Eleva-v tors, of which the following is a specication.

y My invention relates to grain or hay uuloaders, elevators, and carriers, and more especially to that class in which slings are employed. n

Y The invention is designed to obviate the necessity ofclamping the rope for the purpose `of holding the load when elevated, to permit the car to be released with the load at` any height, to give increased power for lifting,and generally to improve the construction and operation of the apparatus.

In the accompanyingv drawings, Figures l and 2 are side elevations of my improved apparatus, taken from opposite sides. Fig. 3 is an Iend or front View." Fig. 4 is a top plan View; Fig. 5, a vertical central section on the line x x, Fig. l; and Fig. 6, a detail view.

Heretofore it has been the more `general 2 5 practice to hold theload at the desired elevation by means of a clamp acting directly upon the rope, and this has resulted in the rapid wea-r and injury yof the rope, besides being unsatisfactory in operation. I obviate this difficulty by usingY a windlass or drum, to which the hoisting-rope is secured and upon which it is Wound, and I lock the drum to prevent the descent of the load. I'also provide a tripping or releasing device under the control of the attendant, by which the car may be released regardless of the height of the load.

The construction maybe betterunderstood upon referring to the drawings', in which- A indicates a beam constituting the track for the car B, which beam will be secured as usual at a convenient height in the barn or other structure in which the device is to be used.

The y.car or carriage consists of two side plates, a a, eachprovided with two rollers, b b, preferably iianged, as indicated in Fig. 3, the rollers being carried by short studs or axles b', projecting inward from the inner faces of the side plates, a a. By this arrangement 5o a space is left betweenv the opposing faces of.

the rollers b b,A which permits the car teclear .to receive a spline or feather Aof the hangers,

position. v

any devices which may begarranged at the top of the track-aconstruction rendered necesv sary by the useof certain devices hereinafter explained. j i Connecting the side plates, a a, journaled therein and projecting outward `beyond the outer faces of cach, isa plate or block,0, from' the projecting arms cot' which are `hung two arms or. hangers, D, by which the compound` windlass E E' is suspended and carried, a bolt, Q, passing through said arms andwindlassv and forming an axle for the latter. y

Aslshown in Fig. 6, the projecting arms c of the block or plate C are grooved or slotted by which the plate or block is caused to`main tain a fixed relation tothe arms orhaugers and is prevented from tipping appreciablyy `out of the` horizontal position, the Weight of 7o .the windlass and hangers and the load'carried thereby being below the block or plate C and thejlatter beingjournaled in the car. y f

Thecar or frame is free to adapt itself to any inequalities or irregularitiesin the track, rising and falling freely at either end,while the block or plateC, by reason of the Weight* suspended from it, maintains its horizontal Securedto each side of the beam A isa piv- 8oy oted lockingbar, F, o ne endof which is slotted to receive a pivot pin or bolt, G," and the op-` posite end of which has a downwardly-turned portion, d, against the inner face of which a locking-lever, .Hf of the car engages. The locking-bars F, at opposite sides of the beam, have their locking ends d turned .away from each other, While their inner endsare carried byv pivot pin or boltG, as indicated in Fig. 2, andthe sam'eis .true of the yloclkinglevers'IzI, which are placed onel at each side of the car B in the proper position tp engage with one of the lockingbars F. The outer end of each of the lockingbarsF is curved onfthe arc of a circle, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2, and bearfg5 against a similarly-curved face of afixed'block, I, bolted-or otherwise made fasttothe side of thebeam A. The curvature of the outer face of bar F andv of the inner face of block I is or maybe slightlyeccentric to the pivot' pin or bolt'G, so thatfin risingthe barsF shall be". forced backward toward their pivot and in falling shall inove outward, but in all cases bear directly against the block I, so as to relieve the pivot G of any considerable portion of the strain brought upon the locking-bars. Each bar F is formed with an inwardly-projecting lug or stud, F, as shown in Fig. 3, which extends through a hole or opening in a lever, J, pivoted in the beam at f, Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the arm F of the locking-bar F extending through a slot, g, in the beam A to vthe lever J, as indicated in Figs. 2 and 3. A lever, J, is provided for each vof the lockingbars F, and the upper end of each lever J isconnected, either by a bar or by a wire cord or equivalent means, to a cord or rope, K, which passes upward through a guide, W, and over a pulley, L, above the beam, and thence down to the iioor of the barn or to such other point as may be convenient to the attendant. From the foregoing description and by reference to Figs. 2 and 3 it will be seen that ifv this cord K be pulled so as to raise the levers J the locking-bars F will be raised flush with the lower face of the beam A and the lockinglevers H will meet with no obstruction; hence the car B may be drawn in either direction at will, and this regardless of the elevation of the load. Ordinarily, however, it is desirable to raise the load up to a point near the car and to have the locking-levers H automatically trip when the load reaches its highest elevation, so that no care of the attendant shall be necessary to secure the release of the car at the proper time; hence I provide the plate or block Cwith an arm or lever, M, Figs. 3, 4, and 6, pivotcd at one end to said block and provided with laterally-projecting arms h, which extend beneath the inner ends or tails of the locking-levers H and serve, when lifted, to elevate the inner ends and depress .the outer ends of the locking'levcrs H, so that they shall clear the depending ends of the locking-bars F and allow the carriage to move forward or backward as required.

From the free end of the arm or lever M is suspended a wire or rod, N, the lower end of which .terminates in a ring or loop, t', through which the hoisting-rope O passes. This ring t' is smaller than the head of the shir-pulley block or other sling-holding device, and consequently when the load reaches its highest elevation it is struck by such pulley-block or other device and lifted, thereby lifting the lever M and the tails or inner ends of the locking-leversl H, and causing the disengagement of said locking-levers from the locking-bars F, leaving the car free to move along its track.

It is desirable to provide greater leverage or power for lifting than has heretofore been usual or practicable for the slings, in order that large quantities of hay or heavy loads of any kind may be takenpout when hauled, and for this purpose I construct the windlass or hoisting-drum of two parts differing in diameter, the draft-rope being wound upon the drum or section of larger diameter and the elevating-rope being carried by the drum or section of smaller diameter. By this means I am enabled to get an increase oflifting power proportionate to the difference in diameter of the two drums or sections of the windl`ass-a result which has not been attainable under previous constructions for a simple shir, so far as I am aware.

The construction of the windlass will be better understood on referring to the several figures of the drawings, in which E indicates the larger or draft-rope section, and E the smaller or hoisting-rope drum. As shown in Fig. 5, thelarger section, E, is formed with one head or disk,j, from which the drum E projects in the form of an annular cylinder with a radial flange or rim, k. 4

P indicates a central post or stem projecting from the disk or head j of the drum E in the direction of the axis of the drum and beyond the open end thereof, as plainly shown in Fig. 5,.this post being centrally bored-for the passage of the bolt or axle Q.

Each face of the post P, which is preferably, thoughy not necessarily, of rectangular form in cross-section, is furnished with two or more short cylindrical studs, k', which form axles for rollers Z, which overhang one face of the post, as indicated in Fig. 5. These rollers are preferably beveled inward or toward their rear faces, as shown in Fig. 5, and form bearings for ribs it, extending longitudinally along the inner face of the smaller drum or section, E', of the windlass.

It is obvious that the rollers may be placed in the smaller drum on suitable bearings, and the post or stem be the track or way for the rollers to run upon. Under this construction the section E is free tormove longitudinally back and forth into and out of the hollow section E of the windl-ass, but is compelled to lturn 'with the same about its axis. This longitudinal movement is provided, in order to compensate Afor the winding of the hoistingrope O upon said section E', in order that the hoisting-rope may always descend from the center of the apparatus, or practically so, and thus prevent the tipping of the car or carriage, which would otherwise occur and which would materially interfere with its proper travel along the track.

From the drum' E the hoisting-rope O,which has' one end attached to said drum, passes between guide-rollers R which are mounted between two plates, m, projecting from a band or hoop, S, which encircles and is free to move upon the rim 7c of drum E, within which the drum may rotate, the movement of the band or hoop S being limited by contact or engagement with the block C.

The periphery of the head or disk j of the drum E is formed with ratchet-teeth o, with which a locking-dog, T, pivoted to one of the arms or hangers D, engages to prevent the backward rotation of the drum or windlass. This dog is formed,preferably,with three teeth, one of which is arranged to stand as nearly under its pivot p as practicable when in en- IOO lIO

377,492 Y A. l i 3 gagement with the teeth, whereby it is caused to rotate with greatv power and to engage promptly with the teeth lwhen a backward motion begins, and thereby to lock the ratchet before it acquires any considerable speed by f backward rotation. The pawl or dog Tis formed with a lateral fiange, q, which is straddled by the forked end oftfhe arm U, project,- ing from the band or hoop S, and serving to lit'tthe pawl or dog T out ofiengagement with the ratchet when the windlassis'turned in the direction toelevate the load and to throwthe sameinto engagement whenA the rotation is in `nor interfere with the free movement of the parts, but that the instant said rope is slackened and the backward rotation of the drum caused by reason of the weight of the load Y the bandor hoop S, moving backward with the drum or windlass, causes the dog T instantly to engage with and lock the ratchet, and thus prevent descent ofthe load.

if it is desired to ont y panniny elevate the when the load will at once move oti'in answer to the strain upon the draft-rope, the movement of the cord requiring much less power f than the elevation'ot the load. When the car moves off,the load will be at on'ce locked in the s manner just explained.

To release the load and permit it to descend,

the shirsling will ordinarily be released and the load allowed to fall without permitting the hoisting-rope to unwind'and descend; but when it is desired to lower the hoisting-rope it may be done by drawing said rope against the guide-rollers E farthest from the axis of the windlass, and thereby causing the hoop or -merely unloading and elevating hay.

It is obvious that the guide carried by the ring or hoop S, and through which the hoisting-rope passes, may be of any suitable conllass is adapted to maintain at all times agiven not materially impede the movement of the 7o*V rope and do not wear or cut said rope.

I am aware' that it has. been proposed to t" provide a track with two stops, eitherl lof which was arranged toact in conjunction with` one ofa pair of levers lupon the carriage in I ysuch manner as to prevent the latter from riding Yover the stop when moved in onedirection, but not prevent it from moving away therefrom in the opposite direction. f l

Undert-he construction shown and described' by me the carriage is prevented from moving in eitherdirexction, as .bothV of the stops on the rails engage with the levers on the car-fV riage, and thereby lock it against movement upon the track. n f 4' Having'thus described n1yinvention,what I claim is-\` l 1. In'com-bination with a car or'carriage, a windlass carried thereby, consisting of two parts, one movable Within t-h'e other, whereby the `rope wound upon the movable portion may be caused to drawalwaysin a givenline,

and thus preventthe tipping of the car bythe load.

2.1In a hay loader and unloader, the 'conlbinaion, with a fixed; rail or track, of afcar movable'thereon and provided with rigid depending/arms D, and awindlass or drumsus# pended from the arms,-.substantially as and for the purpose set forth, whereby the windposi'tioh, regardless o'f the rising Vand falling-v of the car in traversing the track. s

3. In combination with a' railor track, as A, a car or carriage consisting of side frames, a, provided with wheels or rollers b, a cross bar or plat-e, C, journaled, in said frames, hangersD, carried by the plate C, and a drum or windlass carried by the hangers D, all sub-v stantially as described and shown. i

4. In combination with acar, as B, a cornpound windlass suspended therefrom 'and consistingY of drums E E, concentric with keach other, the drum E heilig 'movable within and relatively to the drum E, substantially as shown and described, whereby the hoist-ingrope O isy caused to draw always from a point at or about the center of the car, substantially. as set forth 5.1111 combinationv with 'a car ladapted to traverse a rail or track,'a drum, E, carried by a shaft or axle suspended from the car, a post, P, carried by the drum E, and a hollow drum, E', mounted andy movable upon the post P, substantially as shown. I

6. In combination with acar, adrum, E, suspended therefrom and providedwithan axle-post, Phaving rollers Z, and a hollow drum, E', provided with ribs n to restand travel upon said rollers. s v A 7. In combination with'a car, as B, hangers f 1 Dextending downward therefrom, a cross bolt g or shaft, Q, connecting said hangers, a drum, .x E, provided with acentral post or stem, P,

roo

and having a ratchet-rim, o, a dog, T, pivoted to a portion of the car 'and adapted to engage with the ratchet-rim, a hoop or rim, S, fitting and free to move a limited distance upon the smooth rim of drum E and provided with an arm, N, iu engagement with the pawl T, a guide carried by said rim or hoop,V a hollow drum, E, mounted and movable upon post P, and a hoisting-rope, O, attached to drum E and passing downward through the guide, substantially as shown and described.

8. In a car for hay elevators and carriers, the combination of independent side plates, a cross-platejournaled therein, and a windlass suspended from said cross-plate, substantially as set forth, whereby each of the side plates is enabled to moveindependently ofthe other and of the windlass and thus to accommodate itself to any irregularities in the track or rail.

9, The combination of a car,` as B, hangers D, extending downward therefrom and counected by a cross rod or bolt, Q, a drum, E, mounted and free to rotate upon said rod or bolt, and provided with a ratchet-rim, a dog, T, arranged to engage with' said ratchet-rim, a hoop or ring, S, mounted and free to rotate a limited distance upon the smooth rim of said drum, and an arm, U, carried by said hoop and engaging with the dog T, whereby the rotation of the ring or hoop in one direction is caused to lift the dog out of engagement with the ratchet-rim, and its rotation in the other direction is caused to throw the dog into engagement therewith, substantially as explained.

10. In a hay elevator and carrier, the coml bination, with a car, of a windlass consisting of two sections connected one with the other, substantially as described, whereby theyare caused to rotate in unison, butoneis permitted to move longitudinally relatively to the other.

11. In combination with car B and drum E, suspended therefrom, drum E', longitudinally movable relatively to drum E, a hoop or ring, S, mounted loosely upon the rim of drum E, and a guide carried by said 'hoop or ring and adapted to receive the hoisting-rope O.

12. In combination with a rail or track, as A, a car, as B, movable upon said rail or track, lockingbars F, pivoted to said rail or track, locking-levers H, carried by the ear and arranged to rise between and engage with the locking-bars F, a plate, C, pivoted in the car B and extending beneath the levers H, and a lifting-rod extending from Said vplate downward to a point below the car and encircling the hoisting-rope, whereby the locking-levers may be drawn out of engagement when the load is velevated to or nearly to the car.

ssv

13. In combination with a supporting rail 6o or track and with a car having locking-levers to hold the car at a given point on said track, locking-bars pivoted' to the rail or track and arranged to be carried into or out of position between the ends ot' the locking-levers, sub- 65 stantially as shown, whereby when the carriage is locked in position it is prevented from moving in either direction. l

l 14. In combination with a rail or track, A,

and with a car, as B, provided with hoisting 7o mechanism, locking-bars F, pivoted to the supporting rail or track and separated a distance at their inner ends, and loeking-levers H H, carried by the car and arranged to rise between and engage with the bars F, substantially as shown, whereby the car when locked in position is prevented from moving in either direction.

15. In combination with a rail or track, as

A, and a car, as B, provided with hoisting 8o mechanism and with locking-levers, as II, locking-bars F, pivoted to the rail or track A and provided with projecting arms F', levers J, pivoted to the track or rail and engaging with the arms F', and a lifting-cord, K, con- 85 nected with the levers J, whereby said levers, and with them the loekingbars, may be raised to permit the release of the car.

16. In combination with rail A, provided with blocks I, locking-bars F, slotted at one 9o end to receive a pivot, G, and curved at their opposite ends to conform to the curvature of the blocks I.

17. In combination with a rail and a car mounted movably thereon, hangers I), extendf Nanny-z: 

